FOUND - Country Cool in Steamy Soho

I found this cotton, unlined, full skirt at Bang Bang on Berwick Street CLICK HERE. Designed by Aquascutum, it's beautifully made, and once paired with a thin denim shirt and my Mulberry belt CLICK HERE, will combine for the sort of English preppy vibe that is right up my fashion thoroughfare. For Spring style I'll top the Aquascutum skirt with my old faithful Burberry trench. These two classic Brit brands are retailing rivals so I can't resist wearing them well and at once. I'm nothing if not a style peacemaker. The skirt was £15.  

FOUND - Call It A Fair Exchange

I found this Aquascutum scarf at Bang Bang Clothing Exchange on Drury Lane, CLICK HERE, my favourite buying and selling 2nd-hand clothing establishment with 3 shops in London. When I was a kid I longed for one of the plastic mock number plates all the kids were buying and attaching to their bikes. Like mini number plates, they featured common first names rather than digits. Hundreds of names were offered, anything from Anita to Walter. My sister Debbie had no problem finding her name. My best pal Cheryl was fine. Mates Jamie and Lisa had the name plates too. Me? No way. Christened and always called Anmarie, I was never able to have an off-the-peg name plate. When I turned 12, we moved to a new house and my arty dad painted ANMARIE on my bedroom wall. What I'm called, its unique spelling, its special treatment, even the letter A, have always helped me to feel unique. I am not an 'off-the-peg' kind of woman. On anyone else the 'A' on this 'monogram scarf' would stand for Aquascutum. On me, it begins to tell the story of who I am. Cost? Can't quite recall - I traded a few unwanted items in exchange for this very personal accessory.

FOUND - Sparkle Made So Simple

I found this vintage sequin top at Bang Bang (CLICK) on Goodge Street in London. It's hand sewn, beautifully made with a light cotton lining. I style it with rolled-up jeans, anything else would leave it feeling overly dated. Paired with denim and vintage heels, it's transformed to low voltage glam. Perfect for a night out with my husband or drinks with girl pals. I work in theatre. Frankly I people watch and get paid, so now and then I long for the days when women dolled-up for an evening at the theatre. Lifestyle changes and the predilections of public transport in London make many high-style choices impossible if not ridiculous. Further, the arts' any-way-is-okay dress-code encourages people to give live theatre a go. But don't sequins, just a few, make the world a better place? This is indeed a perfect West End night-out outfit. The top was £10 - leaving pounds in your purse for an ice cream at the interval. 

TRY THIS - Trade for a New Shade

I found this Lilly Pulitzer cord blazer at Bang Bang on Goodge Street, in London (www.bangbangclothingexchange.co.uk). At any of Bang Bang's 3 London outlets, they'll buy your in-season mint vintage and interesting contemporary brands for cash or trade. I don't recall what I offered in exchange for this cord cutie - proof that fashion love affairs are fleeting. This Autumn fabric (corduroy) + its Summer hue (hot pink) = a Spring-in-London Style Savior. I'm keen to welcome the warmer weather but it's still cool in June; this jazzy jacket invites Summer but wears like Autumn. Pieces fashioned from heavier fabrics in bright, saturated colours are must-haves if you live in a fickle weather zone. I call it 'season-ful' dressing, as London experiences all 4 in a single day. Great satisfaction comes with 'trading in' clothes at a place like Bang Bang, and while there are others like them, this lot have real sartorial imagination. At Bang Bang they don't turn up their noses if a piece is unbranded. They want good condition items with personality. So try trading, it's a great way to go green (or pink).